USA: Michael Jackson's former costume designer shares the history of Jackson's style and their 25 year friendship

Record ID: 779013

  • Title: USA: Michael Jackson's former costume designer shares the history of Jackson's style and their 25 year friendship
  • Date: 13th October 2012
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL BUSH, MICHAEL JACKSON'S COSTUME DESIGNER, SAYING: "The only, the biggest request was that Michael danced the beat, the clothing needed to show you the beat. So the clothes had to show you what the song - what he wanted to portray with his music, and the clothes helped show the dance." CLOSE UP OF BAD ALBUM COVER OUTFIT (3 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 28th October 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAEFDESNKD0IL5MSJDVME68XYDY
  • Story Text: The style of Michael Jackson was put on display on Friday (October 12) in New York by his former costume designer, Michael Bush.
    Nearly 20 years in the making, Bush is happy to be able to share the Michael he knew with the world in his new book "The King of Style."
    "Every time we would start it a tour would come out, a new album would come out and it was shelved because that took the priority of doing the book. And it's unfortunate now that he's not here that I had the time to do it. But I'm very lucky too that I get to tell the world my experiences with Michael," Bush told Reuters.
    Five items from the late singer were shown as part of a book signing hosted at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square. The pieces included the entire outfit Jackson wore for the cover photo for the "Bad' album. Pieces for the look were mainly gathered from shops on Melrose Ave in Los Angeles, California, and then embellished to make them Jackson-ready.
    Jackson's staple pink shirt with "CTE" initials was also on display. Bush said he wore different versions of the shirt for numerous appearances and revealed the true meaning of "CTE."
    "It's funny because a lot of the fan bases have decided what those initials mean and what they represent to us and to Michael it was just three letters pulled out of one of his fedora hats for detail," he explained.
    Throughout the years Jackson became known for his military style attire. Bush said part of the reason Jackson was attracted to the look was because military clothes are form fitting and dancer friendly.
    "I think his mentality was, 'what man doesn't look good in a uniform?' So how are we going to take that and make it rock and roll, make it Michael, which was - going to make ours out of leather, rubber, it's still the silhouette and it's still the lines of a military jacket but we've made it rock and roll," he said.
    When designing for Jackson, Bush said he always had one goal in mind: "Michael danced the beat, the clothing needed to show you the beat. So the clothes had to show you what the song - what he wanted to portray with his music, and the clothes helped show the dance."
    For fans, having the opportunity to meet Bush was as thrilling as interacting with Jackson. Many thanked Bush for his work and asked questions about the "King of Pop." Having worked with Jackson for over 25 years Bush had many stories to share, but said his laughter was what he missed the most.
    "Everyone perceived Michael had this quiet shy voice, which was just Michael just, Michael. But - and always when you spoke back to him it was in a, you would talk back to him softly because that's just the way you conducted business with him. But when the laughter started there was no level, you could be as loud as you want," he said.
    "The King of Style" is currently available in the U.S. and will be sold worldwide soon.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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